Hear no evil

Couldn't agree more. Tried to get some tech advice from Lexus Poole initially, was put through to service department, who were busy and said they'd get back to me, they never did. So I tried Bristol and then Exeter, on each and every occasion (3) I tried them, each time was told they were busy and they would get back to me later on in the day, neither of them did, chased them up on three further occasions, and again, not a single reply. Tried Poole and same story. Emailed each dealership via the contact form and have had nothing back from any of them, but the generic 'we've received your email' reply. In the end contacted CSG Motor Co in Buckinghamshire, a second hand Toyota/Lexus dealer and they furnished me with the relevant information on the first phone call.

I should add as well, I'm a proponent of using good a quality engine and TBE flush and fuel conditioner. I've used Archoil D6400 as a flush for years, and either use Archoil D6900 or Oilsyn Diesel Power as a conditioner. There's alot of cheap rubbish out there, but the top end products, of which there are a very few, are absolutely worth investing in. Every mechanic I've ever used has been shocked at how clean the top end components (EGR, injectors etc) of all my cars have been, and I can only put it down to the additives. Not only that, you'll get a smoother, quieter running engine, and usually an uplift in mpg of 3-5%, be wary of interpreting statements on these products such as 'restores performance' thinking it will transform you car, it doesn't add power, it will just help bring your car back to how it should and/or help maintain it.

Totally agree, I've just been saying the very same thing on another thread, diesels were designed to eat up miles, hence trucks/vans all being diesel. Well at least until the introduction of EV's and hybrid technology. I've had my car remapped (custom) with the emphasis more on economy than power, although it is more powerful as a result of the map. I think diesels do require meticulous maintenance and you certainly can't afford to stretch out service intervals, like you might be able to with a petrol. Providing one is rigid with this and uses a diesel for it's intended purpose, then it will serve you well. I've had a BMW 320d, BMW 330d, Jaguar X-Type, Ford Mondeo, VW Passat and Ford Kuga, put over 500k miles on them, literally never had a single issue with the archetypal issues (DPF EGR, Turbo etc) had a leaking injector seal on the Kuga and a post cat o2 sensor go wrong on the Jaguar. That's it in 500k miles.

So nice to see a positive review for an IS220D. I'm a new owner of one myself and have been thoroughly impressed for the first 5k miles. There seems to be so many horror stories and bashing of the IS220D on this forum, obviously people are more inclined to post stuff if they're constantly dealing with issues and troubleshooting (looking for advice or venting) rather than if they're experiencing stress free miles, which is what one expects with a modern day car. Re: your comments about EGR and maintenance, I think it's a pre-requisite with diesels that they are meticulously maintained, stretching out service intervals and using aftermarket parts really aren't the best idea. As well as using them for their intended purpose, long journeys. I've always operated as such and never had an issue with any of my diesels, of which I've had many. Best of luck with the BMW, they're great cars, well most of them are. I've had a 320D and 330D, both of which were infinitely better to drive than the IS220D, although lacked the refinement of the Lexus. Supremely reliable too. I hope you enjoy the X3 🙏🏼

What a relief to have it fixed now 🙏🏼

That sounds like an absolute nightmare you've had on the electrical front, glad it's all resolved now! I myself am a new owner of an IS220D and I have to say, I couldn't be happier, yes the car has its foibles; long gearing, not hugely economically, but what car doesn't! Mine is serving me very well after the first 5k Miles of ownership, I'm averaging about 47/48mpg on 70% motorway journeys, 30% country roads/short trips. On single motorway journeys, if I set cruise control at 65-67mph in 5th gear it averages over 55mpg everytime (see images attached of most recent journey, showing tank average of 49.2mpg over approx 300 miles and motorway average of 58.6mpg over approx 110 miles) I've encountered none of the drama that many forum users have, engine is clean as a whistle, EGR and DPF function perfectly, zero smoke etc. Seems like you and I got the only decent IS220Ds in the country 😂 congrats on racking up 100k miles with no reliability issues and still passing MOT first time, my model has performed the same feat, 17 years old, 32k miles when I bought it, and passed every single MOT without even an advisory, with the exception of the last one before I bought it, that stated rear tyres were ten years old and were beginning to perish.

Of course, you can't just rely on the scoring. I've seen the same type of thing, 'one star - side wall exploded just because I nicked a rocky outcrop on country road' 😂

This is where I've found sites like https://www.tyrereviews.com/ incredibly helpful. I'd much rather have user data and well documented anecdotal evidence to go than some spiel from a manufacturer.

100% I used to have a road legal track car (MK5 Golf Gti. 340/440 bhp/lbft FWD 😂) It had five switchable maps on it and if on the rare occasion I was brave enough to have map 5 on, or if I was doing track days, it would only stay on the tarmac if it had Toyo R888s bolted to each corner, anything else forget it. These were the only tyres that could handle fast cornering without falling away and the only tyres that could hold traction under acceleration. For any other map and daily driving, it'd have Yokohama Advans or Avon ZZ3s.

Agreed, I consider good tyres (providing one regularly checks pressures) and well maintained brakes are by far the most important thing for me. I've always found asymmetric tyres better all round, and definitely better than directional for wet weather. My most recent tyres are Firestone Roadhawk (owned by Bridgestone) a step up from the Bridgestone Turanzas that were on it before, but nowhere near as good as the Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta I had on a car previous to that. I've also learned that often there's very little difference between a mid range and premium tyre, but there's worlds apart between a budget and a mid range. As far as a mid range tyre offering great VFM is concerned, GT Radial are very good indeed, eight of ten across the board and incredibly hard wearing. Can usually be bought, fitted for approx £75-80 (225x50x17)

Dealt with thanks Vlad

Great. Will do Steve. Expect a message later today. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

Okay thanks Vlad. Could you DM me a contact for Colin Barber.

If I'm honest after this situation I'm left thinking are there certain people whose opinion you just can't challenge, not only that, but you can't even defend yourself against them and until admin tell me otherwise and explain their actions my opinion won't change. I mean we're all accountable in that regard right 🤷🏽‍♂️

It was aimed directly at me, but I wasn't the creator of the OP. The fact I was accused of being a criminal was just one of the many insults/accusations. I even told the accuser three times 'I have not once said I have removed the DPF from my vehicle' most of the content I put up was pertaining to how to prep for an MOT test, using legal products (engine flushes, fuel conditioners etc) yet the tirade of abuse continued relentlessly (scum, liar, criminal) and two threats of physical violence to top it off. I'm glad you agree it seems a little off that I was the one repirmanded while the accuser carried on regardless